Page 11 - Our Hawker Stories

In Singapore, we have a wonderfully unique culture
which we are very proud of, a fabric of everyday life –
our hawker centre culture! It is even listed on UNESCO!
Our hawker centres are not only places where we can
find good-tasting and affordable food, but they are also
places for the community to gather.

I was excited to take up this project because, as a fan
of hawker centres, I was curious to understand the
experience of hawkers and fellow patrons, the very
stakeholders who add colour and life to hawker centres.
One early Thursday morning, I lugged my Dad along
to the popular Tampines round market at Block 137,
Tampines Street 11 to observe, interview, and of course,
have our favourite dishes.

Despite the heavy downpour, the place was still crowded
and undampened by the wet conditions. There were the in several of my interviews with patrons. Abner remarked
usual senior citizens in their groups, as well as adults that hawker centres are constantly evolving, and many
enjoying their breakfasts before starting the workday. modern dishes are introduced by a new generation of
Many of the customers have been patronising the stalls hawkers, which helps make hawker centres relevant to
for many years. I spoke to one of the customers, Aunty the younger generation. The introduction of cashless
Flora, who shared, “Although our hawker centres have payment methods is also appealing to an audience who
gone through many changes over the years, the food is more digitally savvy.
quality is still there, and I feel like I have grown up
together with many of the hawkers who are still around.” Hawking is a laborious endeavour. Owners they may be,
Indeed, Mr Ng, owner of Xin Xing Carrot Cake, proudly but the hours are long and the toil is honest. Mrs Eng,
revealed that he and his wife have been in the trade for chef of Yip Pin Wei Braised Duck Kway Chap, disclosed
thirty years! They were not highly educated, yet through that their delicious dishes are a result of countless hours
hard work, they were proud to be able to support their of sweat and tears. Labour shortage is a challenge; the
daughter in completing her university studies. younger generation is attracted to more glamorous jobs
compared to being a hawker.
Most of the patrons cannot do without their morning
dose of coffee to start their day. I hear the usual calls My Dad and I enjoy the hustle and bustle of hawker
of Kopi-O, Teh-C, Kopi-Siew Dai coming from the Centre centres. In all our travels, there has been no experience
Coffee Stall. Approaching the stall’s owners, Mr and Mrs like this anywhere where food and community become
Lim, hawker food is an essential staple that Singaporeans alive in our neighbourhoods.
can enjoy at a very affordable price. Mr Lim added in
Mandarin, “Because the government keeps the stall “There’s no place like our hawker centres —
rental fee low, we are able to price our drinks at prices
lower than coffeeshops and foodcourts. This is important where food is full of heart, and every meal
for the lower-income workers and retirees.” connects us to our community.”

Elisheba rightly pointed out that local food is an important Cheong Kar Mun Emily
part of the culture of a country. As a multi-cultural P4 Empathy
society, there are many different types of food we can Chongzheng Primary School
experience and learn about other races and ethnicities.
Quality and variety of food were factors which came up

Our Hawker Stories 7